LAFD Works to Control Persistent Underground Fire at Encino Athletic Fields
Underground Fire Erupts at Encino Athletic Fields Complex
LOS ANGELES – Firefighters are actively battling an underground fire that ignited early Thursday morning beneath a parking lot adjacent to the baseball fields at the Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex in Encino.
The blaze was reported around 5:40 a.m. near the intersection of Oxnard Street and Lasaine Avenue. Fire officials have indicated that the fire is located within a tunnel connecting to a nearby wash, complicating efforts to access and extinguish the flames.
While the specific cause of the fire is under investigation, authorities suspect it may have stemmed from a warming fire associated with a nearby homeless encampment that escalated uncontrollably.
Aerial footage captured by SkyFOX revealed active flames as Los Angeles City firefighters worked diligently to contain the fire. Fire officials have advised the president of the league and those managing the baseball fields that they cannot assess the parking lot’s structural integrity until the fire is completely extinguished.
Residents in areas such as Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, and Encino may notice a strong, distinctive odor in the air. Fire officials attribute this smell to creosote, a wood preservative derived from coal tar that has soaked into the wooden beams supporting the parking lot. When burning, creosote emits a heavy, petroleum-like odor. Despite the strong smell, there is minimal visible smoke, and the fire appears to be primarily localized to the area surrounding the park.
Firefighting crews have been applying water to the flames; however, access remains challenging due to the tunnel’s depth and darkness. To enhance their efforts, firefighters are utilizing a specialized remote suppression unit, known as the Thermite RS3. This device can discharge both water and foam to effectively extinguish flames in hard-to-reach locations.
In light of ongoing firefighting operations, Oxnard Street has been closed at Lassane Avenue. Authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area until the fire is fully extinguished and potential damage can be evaluated.
